To make a successful dream of your journey, these are 15 important tips you need to know before trekking to Mt. Everest. If you are planning to travel to Nepal, then trekking to Mt. Everest Base Camp is of course on your bucket list. Then, one question might be in your mind: “How to prepare for Everest Base Camp?” Well, you are in the right place.
Normally, in general, Mt Everest (8848.86 m) is the highest mountain in the world. In addition, the trail offers amazing adventures with picturesque landscapes.
Without a doubt, the Everest Base Camp trek is a beautiful trekking destination for many backpackers. But the first thing to keep in mind is that a proper plan and preparation are required before your trip. Eventually, less preparation in planning the trip can be out of line.
Here are fifteen important tips for the Everest Base Camp trek. These tips are for a better experience in your trekking.
Tips No. 1: Train Physically and Prepare Mentally for the Trek/Get Insurance
First of all, physical fitness is very essential before trekking. Although Everest Base Camp is a moderate-level trail, fitness can play a vital role in increasing self-esteem, energy, and stamina too. Also, it makes it easier to hike uphill and downhill in the Khumbu region.
To put it in another way, fitness and exercise help in the development of Oxygen consumption in our body. Meanwhile, the EBC trek can be above 4000 meters and 5000 meters, where the Oxygen level is relatively lower than the lower altitude.
Moreover, the trek is an adventure and a challenge in itself, so one should be mentally prepared. A strong mentality sure makes trips more fun and interesting.
Travel Insurance is another choice for travelers. Insurance is a simple term but can make a huge difference. Traveling 5000 meters above sea level can be risky sometimes. It also covers all the rescue expenses in case of an emergency.
Plus, altitude sickness, weather changes, and some emergency health conditions are unpredictable in the Himalayan. Also, Insurance includes helicopter evacuation. So, for quick and easy health support, insurance is crucial.
Tips No. 2: Pack Essential Gear and Bring Your Item
One thing to keep an eye on before traveling to Everest Base Camp is packing essential gear. It does not require technical gear, but some gear is mandatory. And don’t compromise on the right gears.
Let’s start with the trekking shoes. A good pair of shoes makes it more comfortable for walking as well as protects from a minor injury. Also, it is warmer than other regular shoes. Always remember to pack warmer clothes for the low temperatures, like a down jacket, fleece fabric jacket, and more. For unpredictable weather, always bring raincoats and windbreaker jackets.
Bringing a portable charger or power bank can be an excellent choice for trekking. A solar portable charger is the best option for charging your mobile phone. Ultimately, bring a camera to capture every moment during the trek.
Sunglasses, caps, trekking sticks, Oximeters, crampons, and other gear should be equipped according to the trekking difficulty level and condition. To complete the Everest Base Camp Trek successfully, you are advised to Pack Essential Trekking Gear for EBC as the best tips.
Tips No. 3. Walk at Your Own Pace—Give Enough Time for Acclimatization.
Generally, the trail of Everest Base Camp is a comparatively easy trek. Some parts en route are difficult but don’t need to push yourself. The distance between the two camps is not far and is usually meant for everyone. Even if you can’t reach the target camp or hotel, there are multiple options for a night stay. So walk at your pace and don’t need to rush.
Acclimatization is very important while trekking to higher altitudes, especially in the Everest region. The reason is Lukla (the gateway to Everest) is the starting point, which is at a height of 2860 meters, which particularly means it is already a higher altitude.
A couple of days should be spared for acclimatization. A day in Namche Bazaar and another day in Dingboche. On a leisurely day, many viewpoints and hiking trails can be explored.
Tips No. 4. Be Aware of Altitude Sickness and Know the Symptoms of AMS.
Altitude sickness can be terrifying while trekking to a higher altitude. However, it can be avoided by proper acclimatization and health care. Furthermore, eat properly and stay hydrated all the time. Altitude sickness often happens due to low oxygen levels in the body.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the effect of the body being at a higher altitude. In the AMS period, the victim has symptoms of dizziness, headaches, fatigue, heavy breath, loss of appetite, and nausea.
Just in case the symptoms mentioned above are seen among the trekkers, s/he should get to the lower altitude as soon as possible. Acknowledge Altitude Sickness is one of the Best Tips for the Everest Base Camp Trek success.
Tips No. 5. Stay Hydrated—Drink Safe Water
Staying hydrated can play a key role in effective trekking. Walking 4-7 hours a day can cause dehydration. Always be sure to drink enough water and keep yourself hydrated. A person should drink around 4-5 liters of water daily. In addition, it can protect from altitude sickness too.
Remember, always drink safe water. On the trail, you can see many water resources like streams, tap water, and others. Stay away from such resources cause they are not suitable for drinking. There are plenty of safe drinking water stations on the way in the Everest region.
It would be better if you brought a water bottle with a filter attached to it or water purification tablets. So, to make sure in your mind, safe drinking water is a fight or Five Important Things You Need To Know Before Taking A Trip To Mt. Everest.
Tips No. 6. Balance Your Diet: Eat Healthy Meals and Bring Your Favorite Treats.
Along with water, remember to balance your diet with healthy food. Everest region has one of the finest varieties of food and accommodation in the business. In tea houses and hotels, you can have multiple menus where you can choose wisely.
Stay away from meaty items. Those meats are carried by donkeys and porters, which results in stale and unhealthy food. Avoid it mostly on your higher camp stay. Instead, choose a vegetarian menu that is mostly fresh and healthy.
Apart from healthy food, don’t forget to pack energy-giving chocolate bars. It doesn’t sound relevant, but trust me, carrying chocolate is worth it.
Tips No. 7: Get Enough Rest and Sleep Well.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp requires more physical strength. Daily hiking can make everyone exhausted. To increase self-esteem and confidence for the other day, enough sleep and rest are required.
Always go to bed early in the morning, as trekkers get up early in the morning for breakfast. If you stay up late at night, then you can’t get enough sleep, which can result in unnecessary tiredness and fatigue. Getting enough rest and sleeping well is another factor of the Top 15 Important Tips for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Tips No. 8: Stay Protected From Sun (UV rays), Dust, and Wind
Another thing to keep in mind is that keeping your skin directly exposed to the sunlight can somehow be harmful. Direct contact with UV rays can cause sunburn and, in some way, have effects on the eyes too. It is better to wear long sleeves and long trousers along with caps and sunglasses. Also, anti-UV sunscreens.
The trail of Everest Base Camp is raw and rugged, where you can't keep away from dust and wind. So a proper windcheater jacket is the best solution to keep away from it.
Mount Everest Base Camp —Trek: Essential Tips and Information for Your Successful Trip on the Base of 4–7 the World “Mt. Everest 8,848.86m”
Here is a list of some tips that help to make your trip successful. Kindly go through it.
- Experience the Ultimate Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour:A Comprehensive Guide
- Daily Bus and Jeep Service from Kathmandu to Lukla: Private and Shared Options Available
- 7 Money-Saving Tips to EnhanceYour Everest Base Camp Trek Experience
- Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime: The Ultimate Guide to Everest Base Camp Trek in 2023-2024
- 14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Memorable Journey
- Unlocking the Secrets of Everest Base Camp Trek: Top 7 Insider Tips You Need to Know
- 30 Mind-Blowing Facts About Mount Everest: Discovering the World's Tallest Mountain
- Lukla Airport: Your Gateway to the Top of the World Adventure
- Where is Mount Everest Located? Exploring the Geographic Wonder of the World
- The Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Season
- Everest Base Camp Elevation: What You Need to Know Before You Go
- How Much Does an Everest Base Camp Trek Cost? A Breakdown of Expenses and Savings Tips
- Getting to Everest Base Camp: A Comprehensive Guide to Transportation and Routes
- Your Ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List: Essentials and Recommendations
- Kalapatthar: Experience the Best Views of Mount Everest on Your Trek
- Understanding Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla: Why Departure from Ramechhap is Recommended
Tips No. 9 brought: Prepare for Cold and Wet Weather—Snowstorms and Rain
Trekking in the Everest Base Camp, in other words, in the Himalayas is different from other hiking areas. The weather is almost cold in every season due to the high altitude as well as the route passing through glaciers and almighty mountains. Also, it changes unpredictably and it can rain unexpectedly.
There are fire heaters in almost every tea house and hotel, so keep yourself nice and warm.
Therefore, you should set all your necessary outwear according to the condition of the weather. As it was mentioned before, warm clothes are compulsory. Whether the climate is rainy or not, carrying a raincoat is always a plus point.
Tips No. 10: Hire an Experienced Guide and Porter/Book Your Trip From an Authorized Adventure Company
If you are trying to have a memorable and convenient trip to Everest Base Camp, then Hiring a Guide and Porter with an authorized travel company can be a wise choice. The guide has the responsibility to make your trek effortless by advance hotel booking and providing all information, whereas the porter carries your goods to the destination.
An authorized adventure company makes your job easy. Making permits, TIMS, and booking tickets might be a headache for many travelers; remarkably, travel companies can be medicine. If you need an authorized company, then Nepal Mother House is always at your service.
Tips No. 11: Plan a Few Extra Days at the End
Always remember to plan extra spare days. It is better to keep a few days at the end of the trek. The weather condition mostly delays flights from Lukla to Kathmandu. In some cases, there will not be any flight for a whole day.
So, extra days for the journey to Everest Base Camp are very important so that you can’t miss the international flights back home. Luckily, if you don’t miss any flights, then you can have extra days in Nepal. You can explore more places and tourist spots.
Tips No. 12. Flight to Lukla, Ramechhap Diversion, and Buffer Days.
Flight to Lukla is always the first challenge of the Everest Base Camp trek cause it is a famous trekking trail around the world. In the busy season, it is really hard to get a flight ticket to Lukla. But in the offseason, flight tickets are easily available.
Mostly the flight takes off from Kathmandu; however, in some cases, the flight is diverted to Ramechhap. Especially in-season, plane traffic, huge numbers of travelers, and under construction of airports are some major causes of flight diversion.
If there are any chances of a Flight diversion, then it is notified ahead of time. It takes 4-6 hours to drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, where you take a Ramechhap to Lukla Flight.
The flight to Lukla Airport is not the only problem. Sometimes flights can get delayed or even canceled due to various reasons leading to staying more days in Kathmandu or Namecheap. In that case, buffer days can be a good idea.
Tips No. 13: Bring Enough Cash and Don’t Rely on ATMs
Cash is very important while trekking to Everest Base Camp. Is it even possible to go on a trip without cash? Absolutely no.
If you have booked your trip from a travel company or agency, then all the necessary expenses are included in the package. But you have to bring extra cash for other miscellaneous expenses like extra beverages which are not included in the package, chocolates, extra clothes, etcetera.
For solo travelers out there, it is recommended to carry around 1 lakh and 50 thousand rupees, i.e. 1500 USD.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not rely on ATMs or any banking cash transaction. The reason is there are limited banks and ATMs. Also, it is better to bring cash from Kathmandu than to roam around the Everest region to withdraw cash.
Tips No. 14: Respect Locals and Local Culture.
Exploring Everest Base Camp introduces the unique culture and tradition of Sherpas. Locals will always show you respect and always greet you with “Namaste” or “Tashi Delek”. Make sure to return the same energy and greeting.
If you want to take a picture of a person, get permission first. Some people may not want their pictures to be taken.
Everest region is one of the busy trails of Nepal where several trekkers can cause traffic. Give ways to yaks and sherpas. When you see yaks, mules, and donkeys carrying goods, then step aside and give them the way.
Tips No. 15: Be open with the guide and stay connected with close ones.
Whether you are traveling with a guide or without a guide, always be open with them and never hesitate to ask for information. Traveling to a new destination may be confusing, and you will never know what the next destination can be.
Constantly share your status with guides and ask them how they are doing. Guides hide their exhaustion in front of guests, but on the other hand, they get exhausted fulfilling their duty.
If you are a solo traveler, you can ask questions to guides, and they are always ready to help you.
The Everest Base Camp trek is far from your home as well as from Kathmandu. Stay connected with your family, friends, and loved ones. There are many ways to get connected, and the internet is the best option. Although the internet is expensive in the Everest region, it is the best accessible means of connection.
Conclusion
These 15 Best Tips for the Everest Base Camp Trek help you figure out what things you need to pack before starting the trek. Do you have any questions regarding Everest Base Camp Trek's best tips and tricks? Feel free to ask us.
